Rafting on Rio Jacaré Pepira in Brotas: Brazil's best-awarded guides
You paddle the rapids yourself, not watch from the bank.
Rafting on the Jacaré Pepira River in Brotas puts you in an inflatable boat with a guide and five other paddlers, descending rapids and falls over four hours. The river is considered one of Brazil's best for the sport. Transport from your hotel, safety equipment, a wind-jacket and refreshments after the run are included. Guides speak English, Spanish or Portuguese, and children from age seven can join.
What’s included
- Private hotel transport to and from the river.
- personal life jacket and wind-jacket.
- guide instruction in English, Spanish or Portuguese.
- juice or hot chocolate with honey and a snack after the run.
Times
- Every day 09:00 14:30
Before you book
Operated by Território Selvagem Canoar
Prices and times updated 12 days ago
Traveler reviews
The experience
The Jacaré Pepira is the most visited rafting route in Brazil, and for good reason. It delivers emotion and nature contact in the same afternoon. You'll meet your guide at the boat, get fitted with a personal life jacket and wind-jacket, and paddle into the descent yourself. The inflatable holds seven people, so the group stays small enough that the guide can watch everyone through the rapids and falls. A four-hour run means you're on the water long enough to feel the rhythm of the river without burning out.
What sets this route apart is the balance: you're not fighting class-five whitewater that demands expert technique, and you're not floating passively through scenery. The guide leads from the boat and calls the paddle strokes, so even first-timers know what to do. The course rewards you with the river's own architecture. The ebb and falls are the landscape itself, not a constructed obstacle. After you pull out, juice or hot chocolate with honey and a safe snack wait on the bank.
Private transport picks you up from your hotel and brings you back, so the only thing you arrange is showing up. The guide speaks your language (English, Spanish or Portuguese), and can answer questions about the river and the region as you paddle. Children from seven years old can join if they're comfortable in the water and can follow instructions. Infants sit with an adult.
Is this one for you?If your guide speaks your language, you can focus on the paddle instead of decoding instructions. This trip offers guides in English, Spanish and Portuguese, so you follow the rhythm without translation lag.
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Top questions
What languages is the tour guided in?
Live guide in English, Spanish and Portuguese.
Can children come?
Yes. Ticket types: Youth (13 to 17 years); Child (7 to 12 years). Children under 7 can't be included in the booking.
What happens if it rains?
It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.
What is the Jacaré Pepira River like for someone who has never rafted before?
The Jacaré Pepira is designed for mixed ability levels and is the most popular rafting route in Brazil because it balances emotion and safety. You paddle yourself with guide instruction, but the rapids and falls are manageable for anyone in reasonable health. The guide controls the pace and calls the strokes so you're not figuring it out alone.
How long does the rafting on the Jacaré Pepira actually take on the water?
The full experience is four hours, which includes the descent of the river itself, the rapids and falls, and the time to get fitted and briefed at the start. Most of that time is spent paddling.
What happens if I'm not a strong swimmer?
A personal life jacket is fitted before you enter the boat and stays on throughout the run. The guide is trained in safety and stays with the group. That said, the activity is not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries, poor cardiovascular health or any medical restriction unless you have written medical authorization from a doctor.
Does the price include getting to the river from my hotel?
Yes, private transport from your hotel to the river and back is included. You don't need to arrange your own way there.
Can my seven-year-old come rafting on the Jacaré Pepira?
Children are welcome from age seven. They need to be comfortable in the water and able to follow the guide's instructions during the paddle. Infants can join if they sit on an adult's lap throughout the run.
What do I wear and bring for this rafting trip?
Personal safety equipment (life jacket and wind-jacket) is provided and fitted before you start. Wear clothes you don't mind getting wet and bring a towel and dry clothes for after. The operator supplies refreshments on the bank after the run.
Rafting on Rio Jacaré Pepira in Brotas: Brazil's best-awarded guides
4h · EN · ES · PT
from US$ 35 per person
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